Return-to-office mandates may not be the solution to downtown struggles that Canadian cities are banking on

Employers claim that return-to-office mandates will enhance productivity, foster teamwork, and aid junior workers' mentorship, but the true benefits remain under scrutiny.

Municipalities see a linkage between return-to-office mandates and increased economic activity, hoping that the resurgence of office workers will boost consumer spending in local businesses.

The mayor of Ottawa highlighted that federal public servants working remotely contributed to the downtown's economic struggles, as a higher physical presence is expected to stimulate local businesses.

Our research indicated that the operational strategies employed by restaurants during the pandemic were more crucial for their survival than geographical factors like proximity to offices.

Read at The Conversation